The deadline for the nominations in this competition was Saturday 2 March 2013. The competition is now closed.

Which African women inspire you the most? Whose career have you been watching with approval and excitement?

It's International Women's Day on Friday 8 March. To celebrate, the Guardian Africa network's putting together a list of the top 25 African women to watch.

We want you, our readers, to help draw up the shortlist. So use the form below to nominate the African women you feel should be celebrated for their achievements. You can choose anyone from politicians, to business women to musicians. But the competition will be fierce. So you'll have to explain why they deserve a place in the top 25.

We'll need your nomination by Saturday 2 March and will publish the results on International Women's Day.